The fourth annual Candlelight Vigil for Domestic Violence Awareness Month will be 5 p.m., Oct. 27, at the Old Town Plaza, said assistant district attorney Keith Valles. The keynote speaker will be domestic violence trainer for the New Mexico State Police Francesca Fernandez-Aragon. The theme of her talk is, "Why Do They Stay?"

The fourth annual Candlelight Vigil for Domestic Violence Awareness Month will be 5 p.m., Oct. 27, at the Old Town Plaza, said assistant district attorney Keith Valles. The keynote speaker will be domestic violence trainer for the New Mexico State Police Francesca Fernandez-Aragon. The theme of her talk is, "Why Do They Stay?"

There will be presentations from victims of domestic violence, assault and stalking, he said. The event will conclude with a remembrance and awareness march at dusk to honor all the victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Valles said refreshments and glow sticks will be provided by the Socorro County Community Alternatives Program.

This is the fourth annual event. In the past it took place at New Mexico Tech and Finley Gym, this is its the second year at the Plaza. The Plaza has visibility and it's the center of Socorro, Valles said.

Valles said domestic violence is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. According to www.domesticviolencestatistics.org, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women over car accidents, muggings and rapes combined. And around the world, at least one in every three women have been battered, or otherwise abused in her lifetime.

The candlelight vigil is important because it recognizes the issue of domestic violence in the community, Valles said. The event will inform people about domestic violence and speakers at the event will have personal knowledge of domestic violence issues, have been victims themselves or both, he said.

"Domestic violence is the number one reason women are murdered in America," Valles said.